*British, WWI, War & Victory Medals to Pte. W.M. Probert Royal Fusiliers with Original MOD Box AND Princess Mary Tin with 1914 & 1915 Cards, Photo & Ephemera*
A very complete and evocative WWI grouping to Private William M. Probert, GS/71988, Royal Fusiliers. Like many soldiers, Probert would have received the Princess Mary 1914 Christmas gift tin early in the war to boost morale at the front. Many men treasured these tins and later used them to store medals and keepsakes, preserving their service history for generations.
Medals & ephemera:
- British War Medal and Victory Medal, both officially impressed “GS-71988 PTE. W.M. PROBERT. R. FUS.”, on original ribbons.
- Original named card medal box.
- Period photograph of two Fusiliers, likely including Probert himself.
- Medal index card photocopy confirming his entitlement.
Private William M. Probert, service number GS-71988, served with the Royal Fusiliers during the First World War. The British War Medal and Victory Medal were awarded to those who served in a theatre of war between 1914 and 1918. The medals come in their original named card box marked "B WAR and VICTORY, GS-71988, PTE. W.M. PROBERT, R. Fus", as well as the original outer postal envelope dated 19 June 1922 from the Infantry Records Office, Hounslow, addressed to Mr W.M. Probert, 28 Rothesay Road, Putney SW. Further included is a poignant wartime studio photograph showing two soldiers in uniform, likely including Pte Probert.
Princess Mary tin & Christmas cards:
- Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin
- Princess Mary Christmas Cards 1914 and 1915
- Princess Mary portrait card (signed in plate).
- Bristol Tramways ticket, an appealing personal memento and a glimpse of postwar or demobilisation-era travel.
The brass tin was part of the 1914 Princess Mary Christmas Gift Fund, a national campaign to send a present to every member of the British forces serving overseas for Christmas 1914. This set includes both original cards: the scarcer 1914 card, decorated with a holly sprig and “Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year” message, and the 1915 card with a sword and laurel motif, both conveying support from Princess Mary and "friends at home." Finding both cards together is uncommon and adds significant historical appeal.
Royal Fusiliers service history:
The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) played a major role on the Western Front throughout the war, serving in some of the heaviest fighting on the Somme, at Ypres, and during the final advances of 1918. Soldiers like Private Probert, who was entitled to the War and Victory Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal), typically joined later in the conflict but still faced severe hardship in the trenches. His service number and medal roll details confirm overseas service with the Royal Fusiliers.
*Condition*
Medals are very fine, showing sharp details and attractive age toning; original ribbons remain in good condition with some age-related wear (notably to the BWM). Photograph shows edge wear and an old crease but remains clearly visible. The original medal box and envelope are fragile with tears and creases, but clearly legible and highly collectable as they confirm provenance. Princess Mary tin retains a pleasing patina with typical surface marks, interior wear consistent with use, hinge intact. Both cards are very good with light age spots — particularly notable as the 1914 card is scarce and often missing. A highly desirable, display-ready group that combines frontline service, regimental history, and scarce Princess Mary items, illustrating a full story of one man’s war.
JAQGC_2667130525
